The Lightning was a high performance supersonic interceptor designed to defend Britain against nuclear armed bombers. They began entering service in 1960 and were phased out between 1974 and June 1988.

The first operational version of the Lightning was the F.1.

Although 50 were ordered only 28 were produced before production moved on to more advanced versions.

Most Lightning F.1s served with 74 Squadron in the early 1960s before being dispersed for other uses and most that survived were scrapped in the mid 1960s.

Unlike most Lightning F.1s, which went directly to the RAF, XG331 was retained by English Electric to conduct various tests before being handed to de Havilland for further tests before being delivered to the air force.

This model represents Lightning F.1 XG331 that was used by AA&EE, RAF in tropical tests at Khormakaar, Aden, between November and December 1961.

Trumpeter 1/72 kit with S+M Decals decals completed by Leigh Edmonds in October 2014.